Electric waffle iron



pril 2l, 1925.

1,534,431 G. F'. WELLS ELECTRIC' WAFFLE IRON FilrgcLMay 10I 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 1 J5 A i 4L; Arroz/vaya.

April 21, 1925.

G. F. WELLS ELECTRIC WAFFLE IRON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w N w\ \W n April21, 1925. 1,534,431

G. F. WELLS ELECTRIC WAFFLE IRON Filed May 10, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Patented Apri. 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENTIoFFlcE.

' encuen r. wELns, or SAN rnANcIsco, cmronm' nLEcrmcwArrLn IRON.

Y Application led Hay 10, 1924. Serial No. 712,419.

Such waffle irons, whereby it is possible to operate them in aneflicient manner.

It is another object of my invention to make it possible to clean theiron thorough- 1y, by lthe provision of a heat insulating support thatmay readily be removed.

It is another object of my invention to provide for heat-insulationforthe'iron eficiently and` inexpensively.

It is Still another object of invention to Simplify the meansfor'holdin'g the waffle molds in place'.

VAnother object is the provision of an improved type of hinge forconnecting the two molds together, and for concealing the electricalconnections leading t0 the heating elements.

My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which withthe foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description,where I Shall outline in full that form of the invention which I haveselected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming partof the present specification. Although I have shown in the drawings butone embodiment of my invention, I do not desire to be limited also.

Referring to the drawings:

V Figure 1 -is -a side elevation of a waffle iron embodying myinvention;

Y Fig. 2 is 'a sectional view taken along lane 2-2 of Fig. 1, with theliftingI hanles partly shown;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a complete iron such `as shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the guide for the connection plug, usedwith the iron illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig: 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 5-5 of Fig. 3,and illustrating the manner in which the upper mold thereto, since theinventionas expressed in the claims may be embodied in other forms andthe handle are fastenedv in place on the` upper hinged walile vironsectionyand Flg. 6` is a view, partly in section and partly brokenaway,of the hinge connecting the-two sections. v In the present instance, I'show 4a Waille lron that has hollow circular hinged top and bottommembers 11 and 12, preferably made from sheet metal and formed to havepleasing contours;v for example, by making the top member 11 domed,andthe lower member 12 with an inwardly projecting concave surface 13,leading to a flat circular surface 14. Within these two members aredisposed theV wallie molds and the electrical heatin elements, allofwhich will be describe hereinafter.

The entire device is Supported on a circular base 15 that is made fromsheet metal. This base has an upwardly projecting concaved surface 16that, for the sake of appearance, is made to form substantially acontinuation of the Surface 13. It also forms a beaded flan e or rim 17,defining an annular groove in t e base 15, disposed be-- low the edgesof the members 11 and 12, to catch whatever material may find its vwayout between the waiile molds. also assists in keeping the base 15 cool,Since it exposes a large cooling Surface, having the eiect substantiallyof a cooling fin. There may be provided several felt feet 18 or thelike, for permitting the base 15 to rest upon any appropriate placewithout danger of marrlngthe surface of table tops or the like.Furthermore, a pair of handles may be fastened at diametrically oppositepoints of the base, as by the aid of straps 19, whereby the wailie ironvmay be readily carried by hand from place to place.

This flange sides in the fact that an air space separates a the base 15from the lower member 12, so

that little, if any heat is conducted to the base. In this way, the heatgenerated by the heating elements is utilized eliiciently, and the base15 remains cool, permitting ready handling. In order to provide lthisair space, a disk-like member 20 forming a depressed Surface (Figs. 2and 3) is arranged near the top of the base 15, as by appropriatestamping of the material .to produce the bead 21. A. plurality of1nsulating spacers 22 are inserted between the surface 2O and the bottomsurface 14 of member 12. rIhese are preferably in the Cil form of shortfibre tubes or the like, through which appropriate fastening devices maypass for holding the member 12 rigidly in place. For example, the screws23 may be passed through these tubes, as well as the bottom of member 12and the disk 20. Wing nuts 24 provide a convenient means for fasteningthe screws 23, and yet permit removal of the base 15 whenever it isdesired to clean or polish the waffle iron thoroughly. For the sake ofconvenience it is advisable to arrange matters in such a way that thescrews 23 are tight in the member 12, as by the use of nuts 25, and thetubes 22 fit tightly over these nuts, so that they also aresubstantially a part of the lower member 12.

The disk 20 not only serves to support the waiile iron members 11 and12, but also acts as a shield to revent material radiation of heat fromthe bottom surface 14. However, I find it advisable to provide al fewapertures 26 to permit air to circulate .through the base15 and aroundthe lower member 12. This circulation is also assisted by the provisionof the feet 18, that raise base 15 above the table top to permit entryof air.

The shell members 131 and 12 each house a walile mold 27 and 28, which,as indicated most clearly in Fi 3, is provided with the usual bosses orprojections 29. Furthermore, each mold has a lip or flange 30 on whichthe edges of the shell members 11 and l2 engage. The manner in which Ifasten these molds into the members 11 and 12 is extremely simple andeconomical. For Aexample, the lower mold 28 has a slot 31 at the rear,into which iits a projection 32 stamped out of the memberv 12 and at theedge of an aperture 33 (Figs. 3 and 6). This aperture serves (to permitthe passage of electrical connections through the hinge, which will belater described. At the front end of the mold 28, a screw 33', passingthrough member 12, is tapped into the mold. In this way a singlefastenlng means is suiiicient to hold the mold 28 in place. Forfacilitating the insertion of the mold 28 into the member 12, the slot31 is purposely made wide so that a considerabh angular play ispermitted between the mold 28 and the projection 32.

The mode of fastening the upper mold 27 into the member l1 is entirelyanalogous to that already described in connection with the lower mold28. In this instance an aperture 34 is provided at the rear of member 11through which the electrical connections may pass. The lower edge ofthis aperture is formed by a projection 35.V similar to projection 32,and extendin into a wide groove ,36 in the mold 27 At t e front of mold27,

however, the screwv 37 is used not merely to but also to` attach holdthe'mold in place,

a handle structure 38 to v member 11. For this purpose,the handle proper39 is supported between the two legs of the U-shaped structure 38, asshown most clearly in Fig. 5. These i/ legs Vypass through appropriatelyformed slots in the member 11. The handle is held in place by the aid ofthe three bosses 40 formed integrally on the upper surface of mold 27.'Ihe center one of these bosses accommodates the screwv 37 which fastensthe .mold 27 as well as the handle structure in place.

Each of the 'molds 27 and 28 has a heating element 41 and 42, which isof any desired construction. These elements are held closely against therear side of the molds, as by the aid of a clamping ring 43 of metal,and a screw 44 that engages a tapped aperture 45 in a boss formedcentrally of the mold. The heating elements each have a central aperturethat is designed to fit over this boss. For securing proper insulation,a layer 46 of asbestos or the like may be inter osed between-the heatingelement and the c amping ring 43. Each of the elements is also providedwith a pair of terminal posts 47 that are left uncovered by the plate43, to permit electrical connections to be readily made. v

These connections are so arranged that they are not only hidden fromview, but are protected against the deteriorating influences of grease,water, excess batter, or other forms of foreign matter. For this purposethe connections 48 to the upper section pass through the apertures 33and 34, as indicated in Fig. 3; and that portion which extends outsidemembers 11 and 12 is concealed by the hinge construction which will belater described. These connections, -as well as connections 49 for thelower mold element 42, lead to a pair of binding posts 50 fastened inthe bottom of member 11 and insulated therefrom in any' appropriatemanner. These binding posts are connected to a pair of prongs 51 vthathave a horizontal projection outside the member 12 for cooperating withany convenient" form of "con-,II tact plug. In this manner connectionsfrom an externalp source can be elfected.

In order to. guide this plug so that the insertion of prongs 51 thereinmay be facilitated, it is customar to provide a tubular -guide member.In the present instance the plug guide 52 is so arranged that itsassembly with the other parts is very quickly and simply accomplishedand without the aid of separate fastening devices. The guideconstruction is best disclosed in Fig. 4, and its manner of assembl inFigs. 2 and 3. It is arranged to be he d against removal by its locationbeneath the member I2, and on base 15, these two partsserving to lockthe guide in olace when the are assembled. It is ev1 ent that this guidehas at least a portion yLasa-4:41 t

yof it located in the air space between the base and the bottom 14 ofmember f12.

y The front portion of the guide forms a subs stantially continuouscylindrical tube, while the rear part is cutaway at the top in order topermit passage of the prongs 51 into the guide. At each side of this cutaway portion there is a lap or flange`53 that is intended to contactwith the top surface of the base-15. The guide 52 also has a rear wall54 whichl may limit the movementbf the plug into the guide. At the topAof this wall there isanother lap or projection 55 which engages the top2() von its botto-In surface. This top 2O is furthermore cut-away toform a slot permitting the guide 52 to extend downwardly. below th'stop, as

vclearly shown in Fig.- 3. The mod of assembly of the guide 52 'with thebase 15 is now evident. The projection 55 is rst passed down below thetop 20 while the entireA guide is held in a tipped lup position towardthe` left. Then the guide can be pushed asfar as possible tolthe rightand depressed to the position shown, bringing anges 53 down on top ofthe cover portion 20.

.The t between the guide and this part of the base is pur osely madesnug so that the guide is quite mly gripped along its sides by the edgesof the cut away portlon of the cover 20. But in order to ensure stillfur- I ther against nemoval by.'a horizontal pull, f I preferablyprovide a small projection 56 on the bottom of the guide 52, as byproper stamping. vThis projection is arranged to be sprung behind theedge 57 of the curved surfae 16, where the guide 52 restsAthereon.

" The guide and the base being made from re-v silient material, thismode of assembly is entirely practicable. lAfter the guide 52 is thusassembled with the base v15, the wallie iron hinged members 11 and 12may be placed on top ofthe base andfastened thereon. v

There remains to be described, the hinge construction that unites thetWo halves of the waffle iron. As shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the topmember llcarries a lug supporting member 58 which is hollow and fastenedto the member 11 by the aid of the side flanges 59. Adjacenty.theseflanges are the side members forming the hinge lugs 60. Thesehinge lugs extend downwardly and are placed about opposite the plane ofcontact between the parts 11` and 12, and are provided with elongatedapertures 61 to permit vertical play ofthe member 11 `with respect tomember 12. The connections 48 pass 'between the lugs 60, as is clearlyshown in Fig. 3. There is formed 'integrally with the lugs, a wall 62that acts as one of twou overlapping parte for con-` i cealing theseconnections. In order to provide sufiicientroom for the connections,this wall 62 may if desired be formed with al the aperture 34. A Thelower member 12 carriesa cooperatplaced about opposite` ing hinge member64 that has atl each side,

hinge lugs 65 which fit between the lugs 60. 70 The hinge pins areformed by the heads of screws 66 which are fastened to the lugs 65. andengage in the apertures 61.. That portion of hinge member 64 which isfastened tothe mold member 12\)and connects the 75 lugs 65, iscurved,upwardlybetween these' lugs, as indicated in Fig. 3; and anaperture 66' is also provided therein, registering with aperture 33 tovpermitythe passage of connections 48 through these apertures and back S0of the upwardly curved portion of member 64ll This upwardly curvedportion thus conceals these connections when the iron is opened, therear edge of the upper mold 27 moving 'over this curved portion fInorder to conceal the connections completely, I provide an extravseparable pieces" 67 which fits between the `lugs 65 and is arranged tounderlie the member 62 when the mold is open.l This piece 67 has atubular 9.0

vtop ortion which is concentric with the axis I 'suflicient room forthese connections, a bulge 68 placed centrally of the member 67 may beprovided. At each side of this bulging portion, screws 69 or otherefastening means 100 may be used to hold the piece 67 in place.

Making piece 67 separable, instead of integral with the member 64, aslhas been done heretofore, facilitates the manufacture considerably,since all of the parts are capable ofbeing stamped out by comparativelysimple dies. Furthermore, the bulging portibn 68 serves as a stopagainst which the lower edge of hinge member 63 abuts when the iron iscompletely open. -4

I claim: V l

1. In an electrical cooking utensil, a metallic supporting base havingdepending side portions serving as rests for the'base, a metallic memberin which the cooking is to be performed, a heating element ifor Saidmember, and means for supporting the metallic member on the'base in suchmanner that there is substantially an uninterrupted air space betweenthem. n 120 2. An electrical cooking vutensil. having a metallicsupporting base with integral de- .pendmg slde portions servmgfas rests,a mean uninterrupted air space between them.

3. In an electrical cooking utensil, a metallic supporting basehaving atop surface of substantial extent 'and depending side portions servingas rests, a metallic member in which the cooking is to beperformed, andhaving afbottomsurface of substantial extent,a heating element for saidmember, and means for supporting the member on. the base, includingspacers interposed between the top surface of the base and the bottomsurface of themember, and leaving substantially an uninterrupted ainspace between them.

4. In an electrical cooking utensil, a ime-y tallic supporting basehaving depending side portions serving as rests, a metallic member inwhich/the cooking is to be performed, and means for spacing the memberfrom the base so asto leave a substantially uninterrupted air spacebetween the top of said-base and the bottom ofy the'member, said topbeing a substantially continuous surfacef that shields against radiationof heat from the bottom of the member.

5. Inl an electrical cookingv utensil, a supl yporting base formed ofthin metal and having a top in which there are one or more aperturescommunicating with the interior of the base, said base being open a-tthebottom, a metallic member placed over said top and spaced therefrom toleave an air space between it and the top of the base, anda heatingelement carried within said member whereby a cooking operation may beperformed in said member; ,v

6. In an electrical cooking utensil, a metallic member in which thecooking is to be accomplished, a heating Velement in said member, a basesupporting said member and a guide for a connection plug clamped betweenthe base and the member.

7. In an electrical cooking utensil, a metallic member in .which thecooking is to be accomplished, a heating element, in said member, Vaseparable base supporting said member, and a guide for a connection plugcarried by the base and located between the member and the base.

8. In an electrical cooking utensil, a base for the utensil having a topcover u on which the utensil is supported, and a p ug guide carried'onsaid base, said cover being cut away to present a slot for permitting atleast a portion of said guide' to extendv below the top, and the edgesof the slot firmly grippingthe guide, said guide also having projectionsat the sides for contacting`with said cover. l

9. In an electrical cooking utensil, a base for the utensil having atopcover' upon which the utensil is supported, and a plug guide carried onsaid base, said cover being cut away to present a slot for permitting atleast a portion of said guide to extend below the top, and the edges ofthe slot firmly gripping the guide, said guide having a pair ofprojections, one on each side for contacting with one side of the cover,and a projection at the rear for contacting with the other side of thecover.

10. In an' electrical cooking utensil, ay

ing provided with a snap lock engagement with the base to from the slot.

11. In an electrical waiiie iron, a walie mold, a hollow member in whichthe mold is located, and a heating element in the member arranged toimpart heat to the mold, and means for holding the mold in the member,comprising a. slot and projection engagement between the edges of themoldv and the member, and a screw fastening means passing through theedges at a point remote from the slot and projection engagement andtightening the edges together.

12. In an electrical waie iron, a waffle mold, a hollow member in whichthe mold is located, a heating element in the member for imparting heatto the mold, said member having an aperture for permitting connectionsto be made to the element, one of the edges of the aperture being turnedto provide a projection entering into a slot formed in the edge of themold, and a fastening screw passing through the hollow member into theedge of the mold at a point remote from that where the slot is located.v

13. In an electrical waiile iron, a Wale mold, a hollow member in whichthe mold is located, a heating element in the member for imparting heatto the mold, a handle structure projecting from the member, and a singlemeans` for fastening the handle structure and the mold tov the hollowmember. f

14. In an electrical wale iron, a waile mold, a hollow memberaccommodating the mold and telescoping over its edge, a handle preventits withdrawal construction including a pair of arms passing through themember from the inside to, j

the outside, as well as a connecting strap between the arms andcontacting withthe inner surface of the member, and a fastening devicepassing through the member and the-'strap and engaging the edge of themold, whereby said device holds the mold and the handle constructionfirmly to Sald member.

f 15. In anv electrically heated utensll, a pair of cooperating members,a heating element for each-of said members, a pair of spaced hinge lugscarried by each of sald members, and pivotally connected, whereby thetwo members may be rotated relatively to each other, electricalconnections between.

the members passing through the space located between the hinge lugs oneach member, a wall extending between the hinge lugs and a separablepiece fastened between the lugs of the other member and arranged to l0overlap the said wall as the members are moved relatively to each other.

In testimon Set my hand.

y whereof, I have hereunto GEORGE F. WELLS.

